‘Grateful’: Shaheen honors Dover man for military service

DOVER — U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) presented Dover resident and Gulf War veteran James Thurber with military service medals on Thursday.

“It is our men and women in the military and their sacrifice and service that has kept this country the strongest in the world and we are so grateful for what you have done,” Shaheen said.

Thurber enlisted in the United States Air Force at the age of 24. He was stationed at Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico, Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina, Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, Tonopah Test Range in Nevada and Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sergeant Mike Krall said it was a great honor to make sure Thurber received the awards and recognition that he deserves.

“Mr. Thurber spent almost a year in Foreign Service in Saudi Arabia stationed at the 37th Tactical Fighter Wing, King Khalid Air Base in support of Desert Shield and Desert Storm during the Gulf War,” Krall said. “He was assigned the military specialty of Integrated Avionics Attack Control Systems Specialist and was responsible for analyzing performance and isolating malfunctions of integrated avionics attack control systems for the F-117A Stealth Fighter Aircraft.”

With his wife, sister and three children present, Thurber received the following awards: Air Force Achievement Medal with One Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Air Force Good Conduct Medal with Two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with “V” Device (2), Air Force Overseas Long Tour Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon, Air Force NCO PME (Professional Military Education) Graduate Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal and the Kuwait Liberation Medal awarded by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Shaheen’s Special Assistant for Constituent Services, Sherri Pierce, discovered the list of medals Thurber never received while working with him to receive disability from Veterans Affairs.

Thurber lost his job and was denied disability due to a mistake at V.A. After losing his house and family’s belongings, Thurber said they are getting back on their feet now thanks to Pierce helping him receive his disability.

“Thank you,” Thurber said. “I have no regret for serving my country. I would do it again in a heartbeat. I am just happy that I was able and instrumental in our success of our freedom.”

Shaheen said she went to Kuwait in 2010 and knows the Kuwaitis are appreciative of what United States did and what Thurber did in helping to ensure victory.